Huge amounts of stored heat in the ocean has explained the slowing of global temperatures, but could rapidly add to rising global warming if that heat is released in the future.
Global warming rates have slowed somewhat since the year 2000 due to large amounts of heat and energy being absorbed by the top 700 metres of the ocean, with warmth spreading to deeper levels of the ocean than before.
However, scientists are concerned that if that energy is to be released – a distinct possibility with natural ocean variability – that large amounts of heat will be released back into the atmosphere, drastically raising global temperatures.
Read more at Catalan Institute of Climate Sciences